On November 27, 2009 the Hon. David Onley, Ontario Lt. Governor, joined by the Hon. Rick Bartolucci, Minister for Community Safety & Correctional Services presented the Ontario medals for fire fighter and police bravery.

Four OPFFA members were recognized for their heroic actions.

Toronto Local 3888 members Jim Gale and Mike Maier were recognized for their following efforts:

The first fire crews arrived in the morning of July 20, 2008, at a high-rise apartment building on Secord Avenue in Toronto, after a resident smelled smoke coming from the basement and called 911. Rescue Captain Dan Trombley along with two firefighters were directed to the southwest stairwell leading to the underground parking level. Shortly after they got there, a powerful explosion knocked the crew to the ground, triggering a huge amount of smoke and fire around them. Two of the firefighters found their way back out to the ground level but their captain was missing. Firefighters Jim Gale and Mike Maier pulled a handline down the stairs through heavy black smoke and heat with no visibility to the parking level. Despite the flames burning 10 metres from the hydro vault, they moved forward to find their captain. When the pair could no longer pull any more hose to use for protection and a lifeline, they continued searching blindly until they finally reached Captain Trombley, who was lying on the ground, burned and disoriented. They picked him up and made it back to the exit. All three left the scene by ambulance to the hospital. Firefighters Gale and Maier remained undeterred by the extremely difficult conditions and showed boundless courage to save their captain's life.

Chatham Kent Local 486 members Mike Myers and Mike Vinall were recognized for their following efforts:

The call came in early Sunday morning on May 17, 2009. A house located on Oxley Drive in Chatham was already engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived on site. The homeowner advised that everyone was safely out; however, shortly after he conveyed that he could not locate his young son. Firefighters Mike Myers and Mike Vinall entered the front door of the house, pushing the flames back with an attack line. Firefighter Myers swept the flames back, and fought to control the fire while Firefighter Vinall began to search the rooms. Suddenly, Firefighter Vinall heard a low moan coming from a room to the left. He quickly crawled into the room and found the young boy. He picked him up and made it back through the front door while Firefighter Myers was suppressing the fire around them. Moments later the entire roof came crashing down. Firefighters Vinall and Myers saved this young boy's life without regard for their own safety.

OPFFA President Fred LeBlanc and Secretary/Treasurer Barry Quinn attended the ceremony. LeBlanc stated, “While every day our members along with Ontario’s police officers act heroically this is a beautiful ceremony where we stop and recognize those members’ efforts who at times are called upon to go above and beyond. We are very proud of our members, Brothers Gale, Maier, Myers, and Vinall who received this award as it is a clear illustration of the lengths our members go to in protecting the public and responding when fellow fire fighters are in distress. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to all of the recipients.”

A total of 184 Ontario Medals for Firefighter Bravery have been awarded since 1976, and 212 Ontario Medals for Police Bravery have been awarded since 1975. An independent body of citizens representing all regions of Ontario determines medal recipients. The citizens who form the panel for the Ontario Medal for Fire Fighter Bravery are; The Hon. David C. Onley (Honourary Chair), Kenneth Corner (Chair), Barry McKinnon (OFM), Dennis Pietrobon (Sudbury), Sandra Wilson (Hamilton), and Johanne Levesque (Ottawa).

For more information on these awards and to view the other award recipients click on http://www.news.ontario.ca/mcscs/en/2009/11/heroic-firefighters-and-police-officers-receive-provinces-top-honours.html.